The S-0--> S-1 cavity ring-down (CRD) absorption spectrum of jet-cooled azulene is reported in the spectral region between 14275 and 17300 cm(-1). The excess energy dependence of the fast internal conversion rate k(ic) (S1S0) was investigated in the frequency domain by evaluating the linewidths of vibronic states up to excess energies of similar to hcx2500 cm(-1). A value for the S-1,S-0 lifetime of approximate to 2.6 +/- 0.4 ps was found. New experimental evidence for a conical intersection of the S-0 and S-1 potentials at approximate to 2100 +/- 100 cm(-1) was found. The possibility of azulene being one of the carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIB) is briefly discussed.The S-0--> S-1 cavity ring-down (CRD) absorption spectrum of jet-cooled azulene is reported in the spectral region between 14275 and 17300 cm(-1). The excess energy dependence of the fast internal conversion rate k(ic) (S1S0) was investigated in the frequency domain by evaluating the linewidths of vibronic states up to excess energies of similar to hcx2500 cm(-1). A value for the S-1,S-0 lifetime of approximate to 2.6 +/- 0.4 ps was found. New experimental evidence for a conical intersection of the S-0 and S-1 potentials at approximate to 2100 +/- 100 cm(-1) was found. The possibility of azulene being one of the carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIB) is briefly discussed.